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When should I take my toddler to a doctor?

Toddlers tend to be susceptible to more than their fair share of coughs and colds.

So how do you decide if your toddler needs to see the doctor, or if a chat with your health visitor will do? And when should you call an ambulance, or take your toddler to the accident and emergency department (A&E) of your nearest hospital?

When should I take my toddler to a doctor?

See a doctor as soon as you can if your toddler:

Gets an object lodged in his nose, ear, mouth or (for girls) vagina. Never try to remove objects yourself.

Gets a burn larger than a 50p piece, particularly if the skin is blistering. This includes sunburn.

Has a fever that lasts for five days or longer, or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a rash or crying. Most toddlers recover quickly from fever, but if his symptoms worsen, call the doctor again, as it may be a sign of a serious illness or infection.

Pink, watery or sticky eyes, which could be a sign of an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis. Though conjunctivitis can be mild and not require treatment, it needs treating if his eye is very red and has a lot of discharge and crusting. This means it is bacterial and he’ll need eye drops, especially if he attends a nursery.

Has a discharge from the ears, eyes, navel, penis or vagina.

Has no appetite and misses more than two entire meals. This is worth mentioning to your doctor. Not drinking is more worrying than not eating though, as this requires immediate medical treatment.

Has a severe sore throat and has difficulty with swallowing and/or talking.

Finds it painful to wee, or wees more or less frequently than usual.

Has a cut or graze that oozes pus, and/or the area around it becomes hot, red, tender and swollen.

When should I call an ambulance?

If your toddler is so ill that you think he needs immediate medical treatment, such as if he has severe breathing difficulties, call 999.

You’ll be asked which emergency service you need and will be put through to an ambulance controller. He will send an ambulance out immediately. He will also help you to assess your toddler’s condition and to give him emergency first aid until the ambulance arrives.

Call an ambulance if your toddler:

Stops breathing.

Is unconscious or semi-conscious.

Can’t be woken, or if woken, doesn’t stay awake.

Has a weak, high-pitched or continuous cry.

Looks blue, ashen, mottled or pale.

Is having trouble breathing, or is breathing abnormally quickly, particularly if his skin and lips start to develop a bluish tinge. This means he is not getting enough oxygen.

Has a fit (convulsion) for the first time, or one that lasts for more than a minute. His eyes may roll back in his head, he may be unresponsive, and his limbs may twitch. Fits are usually caused by a fever (febrile convulsions), but not always.

Becomes unwell after swallowing something poisonous or harmful, such as medications meant for adults. Take the bottle or packet to the hospital with you.

If your toddler has a condition or injury that is not life-threatening, but needs immediate treatment, take him straight to A&E.

Has a cut that is bleeding profusely, or one that is particularly deep and gaping open. To stop bleeding, apply pressure to the cut with a clean cloth and try to keep the affected part raised.

Has a serious fall, and you suspect he may have a broken bone or sprain.

Swallows something potentially poisonous, even if he seems well.

What if the surgery is closed?

If you phone your GP’s surgery out of hours, you will be directed to a local out-of-hours doctor service. They will able to advise you, or they can organise a visit to a doctor, or an ambulance, if your toddler needs one.

The government is asking each primary care trust (PCT) to open a GP-led health centre in addition to GP practices. These are open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, and offer walk-in services as well as booked appointments. Find a GP-led health centre near you.

What about if I just need some advice?

If you can’t get an appointment with your GP and need some advice, try:

An NHS walk-in centre (WiC) or minor injury unit. These centres have long opening hours, and are open at weekends. They deal with minor illnesses and injuries, and you don’t need an appointment. Call in advance to make sure that your nearest centre treats young children, though. Find your nearest NHS WIC or minor injuries unit.

NHS Direct (tel: 0845 4647) offers a 24-hour health advice helpline run by nurses. They can advise you about whether or not your toddler needs to see a doctor and can call an ambulance if necessary.

A pharmacist can answer queries about minor ailments, such as nappy rash, coughs and colds, or about any medications your toddler is taking. You can ask which over-the-counter medicines are suitable for your toddler, or whether your toddler should see a doctor.

You can walk into any pharmacy and ask to speak to a pharmacist in confidence. Most pharmacies have a private consultation area.

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